Recessed keyboard imprinter

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, the apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein, at least one settable print member having a plurality of the print elements disposed thereon, the print member being so disposed with respect to the print bed that at least one of the print elements projects through the opening for positioning in the print bed, setting means for setting the print member so that the one print element is positioned in the print bed, the setting means including (a) selector means for selecting which of the plurality of print elements is to be positioned in the print bed, the selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to the plurality of print elements and being located in approximate alignment with the print member along the print bed; (b) flexible connector means fixedly connected to the print member and the selector means; and (c) pulley means for supporting the flexible connector means and changing the direction thereof so that the selector means may be located in any predetermined relationship with respect to the settable print member, and means for moving a roller platen along the print bed to effect imprinting from the print elements onto the document, detenting means for accurately positioning the selected print element in the print bed, and the setting means including positive positioning means for insuring that the detenting means does accurately position the selected print element whereby movement of the selector means to one of the predetermined positions will be transmitted through the flexible connector means to effect movement of the print member so that the print element corresponding to the one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.

[451 June 25, 1974 plurality of the print elements disposed thereon, the print member being so disposed with respect to the print bed that at least one of the print elements projects through the opening for positioning in the print bed, setting means for setting the print member so that the one print element is positioned in the print bed, the setting means including (a) selector means for selecting which of the plurality of print elements is to be positioned in the print bed, the selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to the plurality of print elements and being located in. approximate alignment with the print member along the print bed; (b) flexible connector means fixedly connected to the print member and the selector means; and (c) pulley means for'supporting the flexible connector means and changing the direction thereof so that the selector means may belocated in any predetermined relationship with respect to the settable print member, and means for moving a roller platen along the print bed to effect imprinting from the print: elements onto the document, detenting means for accurately positioning the selected print element in the print bed, and the setting means including positive positioning means for insuringthat the detenting means does accurately position-the selected print element whereby movement of the selector means to one of the predetermined positions will be transmitted through the flexible connector means to effect movement of the print member so that the print element corresponding to the one prede termined position will be positioned in the print bed.

.. 101/45, 101/269 B4lj 3/44 s S U r. G

l l l l Franklin 0. Geiger, Manassas, Va.

Corporation, Springfield, Va.

Filed: July 28, 1972 Appl. No.:275,953

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ABSTRACT Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a docu- RECESSED KEYBOARD IMPRINTER 4 Inventor:

Assignee: Farrington Business Machines Field of Search..........

United States Patent [191 Geiger Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Edward M. Coven Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. T. Martin ment disposed over print elements, the apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein, at least one settable print member having a PATENTEUaunzsmu SHEET 2 BF 6 -Imlmmze I SHEET 3 0F 6 PATENTEUJUNZSISM m a; A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to variable amount imprinters and, in particular, to a variable amount imprinter having a keyboard recessed in the print bed. I

Various variable amount imprinters have been proposed for use in different applications where the variable amount of a transaction is to be recorded, such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,279,369 granted to W. A. Wight and assigned to the assignee of the instant application. For instance, variable amount imprinters are used at gasoline stations to record the amount of a sale onto the customer invoice. Heretofore, the keyboard for entering the variable amount into the print bed of the imprinter has been disposed in. front of' and adjacent to the print bed thereby resulting in an overall arrangement which is quite large and bulky. In certain ap- 0 plications, this poses little, if any, problems. However,

in other applications where space is at a premium it is desirable that the. imprinter take up as little room as possible. Thus, typically, the amount of space at a clerk's station in a department store or the like is quite limited and it is desirable that the imprinter take up as little room as possible.

Thus, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved variable amount imprinter wherein the keyboard is so disposed as to add little, if any, size to the overall arrangement of the imprinter.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an imprinter of the above type wherein the keyboard is recessed in the print bed. I i

A further problem associated with variable amount imprinters arises in connection with the centering of the selected variable amount digits in the print bed.

Without a positive centering device, it is possible that one or more of the selected digits may not be parallel to the print bed and thus not properly printed. That is,

it is possible with the variable amount imprinters of the prior art that thedigit wheel (or other element containing the variable amount digits) may because of improper setting of the keyboard be set in a position where the selected digit is at an angle with respect to the keyboard. This, of course, would result in faulty printing of the selected digit.

Hence, it is a further object of this invention to provide an improved variable amount imprinter including means for positively centering selected digits in the print bed. i

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved imprinter of the above type utilizing a pulley system to effect the selection of variable amount digits from the keyboard and to readily permitany desired location of the keyboard with respect to the print bed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the appended claims in conjunction with the following detailed description and the attached drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 2 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the imprinter taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the imprinter taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further illustrativeembodiment of the imprinter. 7

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 5A--5A ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8'is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view-taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l010 of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11, 11A and 11B are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of. the embodiment shown in FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the figures of the drawing,where like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 an imprinter generally indicated at 10 having a print bed generally indicated at 12 upon which are disposed a printing plate 14 such as a credit card and a document 16 disposed over the plate 14, which may be a sales invoice or the like. Theplate l4 and the document 16 are shown in phantom lines. Disposed on the print bed are members 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 which act as guides for the plate 14 and document 16.

Also disposed in the print bed are a plurality of date wheels 30 which typically are manually set and which form no part of this invention. Variable amount digit wheels 32 are disposed in the print bed 12 and are respectively set by the keys indicated at 34, there being one key for each variable amount digit wheel. As can be seen in FIG. I, the different settings of the keys 34 correspond to the selected positions of the digit wheels 32. Also shown are openings 36 which visually indicate to the operator the selected digit for a given key, the openings 36 being optional and not forming a part of this invention.

The keyboard 38 for the keys 34 is recessed within print board 12, the extend of the recess being such that the tops of the keys 34 are below the plane of the print bed 12, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Thus, the document 16 lies over the recessed keyboard .38 and is in no way interferred with by the keys .34.

Also conventionally provided is a roller platen carriage 40 in whichis mounted a roller platen 42 in any known conventional manner, as generally indicated in FIG. 3, such as in the Wight patent mentioned before or as in copending- US. application Ser. No. 158,944 filed by Franklin 0. Geiger et'al. on July 1, 1971 and assigned to the assignee of the instant application. The operation of the imprinter is conventional to the extent that the carriage 40 is moved across the print bed 12 thereby permitting coaction of the platen roller 42 with the plate 14 and the digit wheels 30 and 32 to effect imprinting of the desired information onto the document 16..

Reference should now be made to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, l0, and 11 for a description of a pulley system by which the digit wheels 32 are set from the keyboard 38. Pulleys 44-56 are respectively associated with the keys 34 as are the pulleys 58-70. Pulleys 72-84 are respectively associated with pulleys 44-56 and pulleys 86-98 are respectively associated with the pulleys 58-70. Pulleys 72-84 are respectively associated with the digit wheels 32 as are the pulleys 86-98. Each of the digit wheels 32 is connected to its associated key 34 by means of one of the cables or flexible connector means 100 through 112. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 11 each of the cables is drawn around one of the digit wheels 32, one of the pulleys 86-98, one of the pulleys 58-70, one of the pulleys 44-56 and one of the pulleys 72-84, each cable also being connected to its associated key 34 through cable connector means 114 which will be described in more detail hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10. It should be noted that the pulleys 44-98 are offset with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 2 so that the lengths of the cables 100-112 may all be equal thereby facilitating assembly of the imprinter.

In FIG. 11 the digit wheel corresponding to the number in FIG. 2 is diagrammatically illustrated together with the pulley system for setting this particular digit wheel. It should be noted that the cable 108 is wrapped completely around a groove on the side of the digit wheel 32. The groove 116 is more clearly shown in FIG. where the cable 108 is disposed in the groove on the side of the digit wheel 32. A recess 118 is disposed in the groove 116 to permit the cable 108 to be clamped into the recess 118 by means diagrammatically indicated at 120 in FIG. 11. Typically, a screw clamp wedge may serve the purpose of clamping means 120. Since the cable 108 is secured to the digit wheel 32 in the foregoing manner, positive drive of the digit wheel is provided and further a capability of adjusting the phase relationship between the digit wheel 32 and the key 34 is also provided. As can be seen in FIG. 11 the cable 108 is wound about the groove 116 for a complete revolution thereby permitting connection of the cable between the pulleys 80 and 94.

As will be brought out in the description of a further embodiment of the invention, other pulley arrangements are also possible. Thus, it should be appreciated that because of the pulley system, the keyboard may be easily placed in any predetermined relationship with respect to the digit wheels. Thus, the particularly advantageous relationship where the keyboard is recessed in the print bed as in the instant invention can be effected.

Reference should now be made to FIG. 3 which illustrates how the pulleys 44-56 and 72-84 are mounted within the imprinter. Although any mounting means may be used, in FIG. 3, there is simply shown a board 122 mounted within the imprinter and connected to the print bed 12 by post 124. Its other end is suitably connected to the end plate 126 of the imprinter at 128 by conventional means not shown. The pulleys are rotatively mounted on the board 122.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A and 6, there is shown a further embodiment ofa pulley system which may be used with this invention. In particular, there are shown keys 34, digit wheels 32 and a first set of pulleys 130-142, a second set of pulleys 144-156, a third set of pulleys 158-170, and a fourth set of pulleys 172-184. The first and second set of pulleys are associated with the keys 34 and the third and fourth set of pulleys are associated with the digit wheels 32. Pulleys 186-198 are also provided and respectively associated with the keys 34. Cables 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 are drawn about the digit wheels 32 and the various sets of pulleys 130-198, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to permit setting of the digit wheels 32 from the keys 34. In FIG. 6, there is partially shown the pulley system associated with the digit wheel 4 of FIG. 5. The cable 206 is drawn halfway around the pulley 192 as shown in FIG. 6 and thence to pulley 150, pulley 178, digit wheel 32 (about which the cable 206 is wrapped only halfway), pulley 164, pulley 136 and thence back to the upper portion of pulley 192 through cable connector 114. Thus, it should be emphasized that the cable 206 is drawn only halfway around the groove 116 in the digit wheel 32 rather than all the way around as is the case with the embodiment of FIG. 11. Cable 206 is clamped in a recess 118 by a clamping means in the same manner as is illustrated in FIG. 11 to provide positive drive for the digit wheel.

As can be seen in FIG. 6 mounting means 214 descending from print bed 12 is utilized to rotatably support the pulleys 186-198 within the imprinter. Further, board 215 is utilized to mount the pulleys -184. Further, the pulleys 136 and of FIG. 6 are rotatably mounted on a common post 217 connected by appropriate means to the board 215. This arrangement is also utilized for the posts 130-184 as is indicated in FIG. 5A. The arrangement of FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6 is advantageous in that it permits a reduction in the width of the print bed inasmuch as the staggered pulleys 130-184 are all on the same side of the digit wheels 32 and keyboard 38.

Reference should now be made to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 wherein the positive centering means of this invention are describedReferring first to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown one of the keys 34 as indicated at crosssection line 7-7 of FlG.2.-Cable connecting means 114 connects the key 34 to the cable 110. Connecting means 114 comprises'a first bracket 216 having a horizontally extending portion 218 from which upwardly projects a tab 220, the tab being fixedly disposed in knob 222 of key 34 to thereby connect the first bracket 216 to the key 34. The bracket 216 also includes a downwardly extending portion 226 to which is connected a second, U-shaped bracket 228. The bracket 228 is connected to the bracket 216 by appropriate means indicated at 230 through an elongated opening 232 in vertical portion 226, the opening 232 being utilized to adjust the phase relationship between the key 34 and its associated digit wheel.

The bracket 228 includes two horizontal legs 234 and 236. Holes 238 and 240 are respectively provided in legs 234 and 236 and are in colinear alignment. A tubular cable connector 242 is disposed through the openings 238 and 240 as can be seen in FIG. 8. The cable 110 is connected to the connector 242 as indicated in FIG. 8. That is, the cable 110 prior to connection to the connector 242 comprises a single strand of wire or the like. The first end of the cable is drawn-through the end 244 of the connector 242 and through the length thereof. The other end of the cable 110 is drawn through the end 246 of the connector 242 and is once again through the entire length thereof. The connector 242 is then crimped at 248 and 250 to secure the connector to the cable 110. Of course, other means may be utilized to connect the cable 110 to the connector 242.

i The connector 242 also includes a shoulder ring 252 integrally connected thereto. Disposed aboutthe connector 242 is a pair of compression springs 254 and 256, spring 254 being disposed between leg 234 and shoulder ring 252 and spring 256 being disposed between leg 236 and shoulder ring 254, as shown in FIG. 8.

Before the operation of the positive centering mechanism can be described, reference should be made to FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9, there is shown a partial cross-section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, there is shown the support structure (generally indicated at 260) for the digit wheels 32. This support structure does not form a part of the invention and may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,556 granted to W. Barbour, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. The support structure 260 generally comprises a U-shaped support member 262 having vertical legs 264 and 266, the structure 260 being 'ultimately supported from print bed 12 by means not shown. A digit wheel shaft 268 connected between the legs 264 and 266 supports the digit wheels 32. The support member 262 further includes in the lower horizontal leg thereof a pawl shaft 270 about which a plurality of pawls 272-284 are disposed, the plurality of pawls respectively engaging the plurality of digit wheels 32. The pawl 272 is shown in detail in FIG. 9. Rotatably connected to the pawl at point 290 is circular detent 288. The-pawl and detent is biased toward digit wheel 32 by spring 292 which is connected to pawl 272 at point 294 and'to a lug 296 which is diagrammatically indicated in FIG. 9 and which is fixedly positioned with respect to the print bed 12.

The digit wheel 32 has disposed approximately about one half of the periphery thereof the digits through 9. About the other half of the periphery is disposed a plurality of gear teeth 299 which respectively correspond to the digits 0 through 9. It has also been determined that the digits may be advantageously disposed about approximately 168 of the wheel while the. gear teeth are disposed about another 168 sector of the wheel. The detent 288 will rest in the bottom of the gear tooth corresponding to the selected digit. As indicated in FIG. 9 the detent 288 rests in the bottom of the gear tooth corresponding to the digit 0. Thus, during imprinting the digit 0 would be maintained in a plane parallel to the print bed due to the detenting action of the detent and pawl mechanism including spring 292. In addition to the detenting mechanism illustrated in FIG. 9, other detenting mechanisms may be used with this invention such as that described in the heretofore mentioned US. Pat. Nos. 3,279,369 and 3,521,556.

The operation of the positive centering mechanism of this invention will nowbe described, the positive centering action being such that any tendency for the detenting mechanism to engage the tops of the teeth 299 rather than the bottoms thereof is eliminated. Hence, any tendency for a point between two digits to be set into the print bed 12 is also accordingly eliminated.

In FIG. 11, the digit wheel 32 is shown in the position where the digit is set into the print bed. Assume that it is desired to reset the digit wheel so that the digit 6 is positioned in the print bed. The key 34 is moved as indicated in phantom lines on FIG. 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The bracket 228 will slide along the cable connector 242 and as it does, spring 7 256 will be compressed thereby initiating movement of cable 108. The movement of the cable will cause movement of the digit wheel 32 and the detent 288 will be depressed downwardly against the biasing action of spring 292, as is shown in FIG. 11A. As the digit wheel 32 continues to rotate, the detent 288 will eventually be depressed to it lowest position as shown in FIG. 11B and the spring 256 of the cable connector means 114 will be in its most compressed state.

As the operator continues to move the key 34 toward the digit 6 position, the top of the tooth associated with digit 6 will pass the detent 288, and the spring 256 will be released to force the cable 108 forward thereby forcing the detent 288 into the bottom B of the tooth associated with the digit 6 and thereby insuring positive centering of the digit 6 into the print bed 12. It is important to realize, if because of carelessness or misunderstanding on the part of the operator, the key 34 is left between the digits 5 and 6 as indicated on the keyboard 38 thereby leaving the digit wheel 32 and the detent 288 in the position shown in FIG. 11B, the positive centering action of spring 256 would nevertheless operate to force the detent 288 into the bottom of the tooth associated with digit 6. That is, the energy stored in spring 256 must be released and thus, the position shown in FIG. 11B is inherently unstable. Hence, the spring 256 will force the cable 108 forward thereby forcing the detent 288 into the bottom B of the digit dot associated with detent 288.

Further, it should be realized that, if the operator left the key in the position corresponding to FIG. 11A, the compressedenergy in spring 256 would tend to move the digit wheel 32 over the top of the tooth corresponding to digit 6 to the bottom B thereof. However, if insufficient energy were stored in spring 256 to move the detent 288 over the top of this tooth (against the force generated by spring292), the spring 292 would then return the detent 288 to the base C of the tooth associated with the digit 5. In any event, the springs 254 and 256 act as positive centering devices, spring 254being utilized for rotation of digit wheel 32 in one direction and spring 256 beingutilized for rotation in the other direction.

Thus, there has been described an imprinter for imprinting variable data on a document 16 disposed over print elements--that is, the digits on the wheels 32, it being understood that digit strips rather than digit wheels may also be used in accordance with this invention. At least one settable print member (one of the digit wheels 32 having a plurality of the print elements disposed thereon) is provided. The print member 32 is so disposed with the print bed that at least one of the print elements projects through an opening l3 in the print bed, see FIG. 1. Setting means are provided which include (a) selector means (keys 34) for selecting which print element is to be positioned in the print bed; (b) flexible connector means (at least one of the cables through 112 or 200 through 212) fixedly connected to the print member and the selector means; and (c) pulley means (the pulleys shown in FIGS. 2 or 5 and 5A) for supporting the flexible connector means and changing the direction thereof so that the selector means may be located in any predetermined realtionship with respect to the print member 42. Also, disclosed are means (carriage 40) moving a roller platen 42 along the print bed to effect imprinting. Further, there have been disclosed detenting means (pawl 272,

detent 288 and associated biasing means 292) for accurately positioning the selected print element in the print bed. Further. the setting means includes positive positioning means (springs 254 and 256 and associated support structure) for insuring that the detenting means does accurately position the selected print element.

Numerous modifications of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing disclosure. During such a reading it will be evident that this invention provides a unique variable amount imprinter having a keyboard recessed in the print bed together with means for insuring positive centering of the selected variable amount digits in the print bed for accomplishing the objects and advantages herein stated.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member via interconnecting means so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; detenting means tending to position the selected print element in said print bed so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed; and said interconnecting means including positive positioning means positioned between said setting means and said settable print member for insuring that said detenting means does accurately position the selected print element so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed. 2. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon,- said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed, said print bed including a cavity and said selector means being so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed and said roller platen moving means including means for moving said roller platen over said cavity so that a document at least as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respec-' tively corresponding to said plurality of print elements;

b. flexible connector means including a smooth cable fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and

c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; and

means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 where the location of said selector means is such that it is approximately aligned with said print member along said print bed whereby a compact arrangement of the imprinting apparatus is effected.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3 where said print bed includes a cavity and where said selector means is so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed and where said roller platen moving means includes means formoving said roller platen over said 'cavity whereby a document at least as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 2 where said print member is a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said 1 flexible connector means thereto.

6. Apparatus as in claim 2 including detenting means for accurately positioning the selected print element in said print bed and where said setting means includes positive positioning means for insuring that said detenting means does accurately position the selected print element.

7. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein;

at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed;

setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements;

b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and

whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed;

detentingmeans for accurately postioning the selected print element in said print bed, said setting means including positive positioning means for insuring that said detenting means does accuately position the selected print element; said selector means including a selector knob and said positive positioning means including print member biasing means connected between said knob and said flexible connector means to bias said print member through said flexible connector means so that said selected print element is accurately positioned in said print bed in response to said detenting means being in a first position with respect to said print member, said first position being approximately adjacent a second position which corresponds to accurate positioning of said selected print element; and

said print element including a plurality of circumferentially disposed gear teeth, said detenting means including a detent and detent biasing means for biasing said detent toward said teeth so that said detent is maintained between a selected pair of gear teeth corresponding to said second position of the detenting means with respect to the printmember whereby the selected print element is maintained in position during the imprinting operation, said first position of the detenting means with respect to the print member corresponding to a point adjacent the valley between said pair of gear teeth.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 where said setting means includes a selector knob and said positive positioning means includes print member biasing means connected between said knob and said flexible connector means to bias said print member through said flexible connector means so that said selected print element is accurately positoned in said print bed in response to said detenting means being in a first position with respect to said print member, said first position being approximately adjacent a second position which corresponds to accurate positioning of said selected print element, and said print element includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed gear teeth, said detenting means including a detent and detent biasing means for biasing said detent toward said teeth so that said detent is maintained between a selected pair of gear teeth corresponding to said second position of the detenting means with respect to the print member whereby the selected print element is maintained in position during the imprinting operation, said first position of the detenting means with respect to the print member corresponding to a point adjacent the valley between said pair of gear teeth.

9. Apparatus as in claim 7 where said first position of 11. Apparatus as in claim7 where said flexible connector means includes a stop member fixedly disposed thereon and where said selector means includes support means having apertures at the respective ends thereof through which said flexible connector means is disposed and where said print member biasing means is mounted about said flexible connector means between said stop member and at one of said ends of said support means.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11 where said print member biasing means includes at least a first spring mounted between said one end of said support means andone side of said stop member and a second spring mounted betweenthe other end of said support means and the other saide of said stop member.

13. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of print elements thereon, said. print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said'print bed;

setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements and being located in approximate alignment with said print member along said print bed, said print bed including a cavity and where said selector means is so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed; and

. means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document, said roller platen moving means including means for moving said roller platen over said cavity whereby a document as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means.

14. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein;

at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed;

setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements and being located in approximate alignment with said print member along said print bed;

b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and

means for moving a roller platenalong said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said print member being a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around ther periphery thereof 6 for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto and where said pulley means includes first and second pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said print member and third and fourth pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said selector said document; and means, and where said flexible connector means detenting means tending to position the selected passes from said selector means, over said third print element in said print bed SO that the selected pulley, over said first pulley, around said groove on print element is parallel with the plane of the print h d i member f s id print wheel, over said and Said flexible Connector means including second pulley, over said fourth pulley and back to positive positioning means positioned between said 10 id selector means Print member f Said Selector means for insltrtng 16. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a that sald detentmg means does accurately p f document disposed over print elements, said apparatus the selected print element so that the selected print comprising element is parallel with the plane of the print bed; a prim bed having at least one Opening therein; whefeby movemeflt of selecto r means to l of at least one settable print member having a plurality fag[12: izzz ggzgle zigggztg: tn zzng g ggzg of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said at of ro'ects throu sai o enin or ositionin in mined position will be positioned in the print bed. g prim p g p g d Appgiatus for P vanable ,data Onto a setting means for setting said print member so that L FW posed over 6 emenm apparatus said one print element is positioned in said print com l'lSlh b ed, said settin means lhClUdln tpl t bed rt lgl at t f one sm g a therein; n a. selector mea s for selecting wfiich of said plurala eas one se a e prin mem er aving a p urai y it f y 0 print elements lS to be positioned in said 2:521:16?rggreeiglelg;ggitzgsesigsgg ci li P522 print beld, sai? seledctor mearzis being movable t0 a plura ity 0 pre etermine positions respecrmt bed that at least one of said rmt elements g j through Said p g for gositioning in tively corresponding to said plurality of print ele- Said prim bed; b i l e iiiiile connector means fixed] connected to setting means for setting said print member so that Said rim member and Said selecior means and said one print element is positioned in said print p bed; said Setting means including c ulle means for su ortn said fl xibl c n a. selector means for selecting which of said pluraly pp 1 g e e on ecity of print elements is to be positioned in said or print bed, said selector means being movable to means for l roller altmg Said pnm bed a plurality of predetermined positions respec to effect imprinting from said print elements onto tively corresponding to said plurality of print elefsald .documem; mems. said print member being a wheel where said print eleb. flexible connector means fixedly connected to 40 merits are dlsposed along at least? of the said print member and said selector means; and penphery thereof Wheelhdwng drlve I ber fixedly connected, said drive member lhClUdll'lg c. pulley means for supporting said flexible conneca qq d's posed around the penphery 'i for [or means. receiving said flexible connector means and includmeans for moving a roller platen along said print bed mg means for fixedly Connectmg flexlble to effect imprinting from said print elements onto {teeter means thereto; F said document, the location of said selector means q Pulley means )ncludmg fi and secofld P y being such that it is approximately aligned with said P approxlmately a j pp ends P print member along said print bed whereby a com- 531d P member and t'hlrd and fou'rth P y pact arrangement of the imprinting apparatus is ef- Posed approxlmately l t pp l ends of Sald f t d; selector means, and where said flexible connector said print bed including a cavity and where said selec- P511556S from sa'ld Selector means, Over l tor means is so disposed in said cavity that the top thlrd P y f Said first P y afQund Satd of said selector means is below the level of said groovepn the drlve member Said P wheel print bed and said roller platen moving means in- Over Said sficond P y Over Said fourth P Y and cluding means for moving said roller platen over back to Said Selector means said cavity whereby a document at least as long as f y movemeflt of Salt! selectof means to of id im b d may b i i d i h im f said predetermined positions will be transmitted enoe from said selector means; and through said flexible COIIIICCIOI means IO effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.

17. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein;

at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and

c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means;

means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document;

said print member being a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto; and

said pulley means including firstand second pulleys vertically disposed with respect to each other and approximately adjacent one end of said print wheel, third and fourth pulleys vertically disposed with respect to each other and approximately adjacent the same end of said selecting means as said one end, and a fifth pulley disposed approximately adjacent the other end of said selecting means and where said flexible connector means passes from said selector means, over said third pulley, over said first pulley, around said groove on the drive member for said print wheel, over said second pulley, over said fourth pulley, over said fifth pulley, and back to said selector means whereby the width of said imprinting apparatus is lessened because of the arrangement of the pulley means whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed. 

1. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one openinG therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member via interconnecting means so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; detenting means tending to position the selected print element in said print bed so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed; and said interconnecting means including positive positioning means positioned between said setting means and said settable print member for insuring that said detenting means does accurately position the selected print element so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed.
 2. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed, said print bed including a cavity and said selector means being so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed and said roller platen moving means including means for moving said roller platen over said cavity so that a document at least as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connector means including a smooth cable fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; and means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 where the location of said selector means is such that it is approximately aligned with said print member along said print bed whereby a compact arrangement of the imprinting apparatus is effected.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 3 where said print bed includes a cavity and where said selector means is so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed and where said roller platen moving means includes means for moving said roller platen over said cavity whereby a document at least as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 2 where said print member is a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 2 including detenting means for accurately positioning the selected print element in said print bed and where said setting means includes positive positioning means for insuring that said dEtenting means does accurately position the selected print element.
 7. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed; detenting means for accurately postioning the selected print element in said print bed, said setting means including positive positioning means for insuring that said detenting means does accuately position the selected print element; said selector means including a selector knob and said positive positioning means including print member biasing means connected between said knob and said flexible connector means to bias said print member through said flexible connector means so that said selected print element is accurately positioned in said print bed in response to said detenting means being in a first position with respect to said print member, said first position being approximately adjacent a second position which corresponds to accurate positioning of said selected print element; and said print element including a plurality of circumferentially disposed gear teeth, said detenting means including a detent and detent biasing means for biasing said detent toward said teeth so that said detent is maintained between a selected pair of gear teeth corresponding to said second position of the detenting means with respect to the print member whereby the selected print element is maintained in position during the imprinting operation, said first position of the detenting means with respect to the print member corresponding to a point adjacent the valley between said pair of gear teeth.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 1 where said setting means includes a selector knob and said positive positioning means includes print member biasing means connected between said knob and said flexible connector means to bias said print member through said flexible connector means so that said selected print element is accurately positoned in said print bed in response to said detenting means being in a first position with respect to said print member, said first position being approximately adjacent a second position which corresponds to accurate positioning of said selected print element, and said print element includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed gear teeth, said detenting means including a detent and detent biasing means for biasing said detent toward said teeth so that said detent is maintained between a selected pair of gear teeth corresponding to said second position of the detenting means with respect to the print member whereby the selected print element is maintained in position during the imprinting operation, said first position of the detenting means with respect to the print membEr corresponding to a point adjacent the valley between said pair of gear teeth.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 7 where said first position of the detenting means with respect to the print member corresponds to the apex of one of said pair of gear teeth.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 7 where said detent comprises a wheel rotatably mounted on said detenting means to facilitate movement of said detent over said teeth during movement of said selector means.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 7 where said flexible connector means includes a stop member fixedly disposed thereon and where said selector means includes support means having apertures at the respective ends thereof through which said flexible connector means is disposed and where said print member biasing means is mounted about said flexible connector means between said stop member and at one of said ends of said support means.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 where said print member biasing means includes at least a first spring mounted between said one end of said support means and one side of said stop member and a second spring mounted between the other end of said support means and the other saide of said stop member.
 13. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of print elements thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements and being located in approximate alignment with said print member along said print bed, said print bed including a cavity and where said selector means is so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed; and means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document, said roller platen moving means including means for moving said roller platen over said cavity whereby a document as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means.
 14. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements and being located in approximate alignment with said print member along said print bed; b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; and means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document; and detenting means tending to position the selected print element in said print bed so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed, and said flexible connector meAns including positive positioning means positioned between said print member and said selector means for insuring that said detenting means does accurately position the selected print element so that the selected print element is parallel with the plane of the print bed; whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.
 15. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed; said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document, the location of said selector means being such that it is approximately aligned with said print member along said print bed whereby a compact arrangement of the imprinting apparatus is effected; said print bed including a cavity and where said selector means is so disposed in said cavity that the top of said selector means is below the level of said print bed and said roller platen moving means including means for moving said roller platen over said cavity whereby a document at least as long as said print bed may be imprinted without interference from said selector means; and said print member being a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around ther periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto and where said pulley means includes first and second pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said print member and third and fourth pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said selector means, and where said flexible connector means passes from said selector means, over said third pulley, over said first pulley, around said groove on the drive member for said print wheel, over said second pulley, over said fourth pulley and back to said selector means.
 16. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connEctor means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document; said print member being a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto; and said pulley means including first and second pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said print member and third and fourth pulleys disposed approximately adjacent opposite ends of said selector means, and where said flexible connector means passes from said selector means, over said third pulley, over said first pulley, around said groove on the drive member for said print wheel, over said second pulley, over said fourth pulley and back to said selector means whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positioned in the print bed.
 17. Apparatus for imprinting variable data onto a document disposed over print elements, said apparatus comprising a print bed having at least one opening therein; at least one settable print member having a plurality of said print elements disposed thereon, said print member being so disposed with respect to said print bed that at least one of said print elements projects through said opening for positioning in said print bed; setting means for setting said print member so that said one print element is positioned in said print bed, said setting means including a. selector means for selecting which of said plurality of print elements is to be positioned in said print bed, said selector means being movable to a plurality of predetermined positions respectively corresponding to said plurality of print elements; b. flexible connector means fixedly connected to said print member and said selector means; and c. pulley means for supporting said flexible connector means; means for moving a roller platen along said print bed to effect imprinting from said print elements onto said document; said print member being a wheel where said print elements are disposed along at least a portion of the periphery thereof, said wheel having a drive member fixedly connected, said drive member including a groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving said flexible connector means and including means for fixedly connecting said flexible connector means thereto; and said pulley means including first and second pulleys vertically disposed with respect to each other and approximately adjacent one end of said print wheel, third and fourth pulleys vertically disposed with respect to each other and approximately adjacent the same end of said selecting means as said one end, and a fifth pulley disposed approximately adjacent the other end of said selecting means and where said flexible connector means passes from said selector means, over said third pulley, over said first pulley, around said groove on the drive member for said print wheel, over said second pulley, over said fourth pulley, over said fifth pulley, and back to said selector means whereby the width of said imprinting apparatus is lessened because of the arrangement of the pulley means whereby movement of said selector means to one of said predetermined positions will be transmitted through said flexible connector means to effect movement of said print member so that the print element corresponding to the said one predetermined position will be positiOned in the print bed. 